Oregon gas prices back up to $3 – still lowest in five years

Drivers are paying the highest prices of the year for gasoline, but are still enjoying prices that are the lowest since 2010, AAA Oregon/Idaho reported Tuesday.

For the week, the national average for regular unleaded adds three cents to $2.66 while Oregon’s average gains four cents to $3.00.

“It’s the first time since December 3 that the Oregon average has been above the $3 mark,” says AAA Oregon/Idaho Public Affairs Director Marie Dodds. “Refinery issues in California have created tight supplies on the West Coast, keeping prices in this region higher than other parts of the country.

“While the short-term outlook for this area remains very uncertain, there’s hope gas prices will stabilize as more supplies enter the region.” she added.

Gas prices are so high on the West Coast that it makes sense to send gasoline by ship to the region from overseas or from other parts of the U.S. As these shipments arrive on the West Coast, pump prices could settle down, though a significant decline is not likely in the next few weeks, AAA said.

Most of the most expensive markets in the country are in the West. California is the nation’s most expensive retail gasoline market, and is joined by four other states posting averages of $3 or more per gallon: Hawaii, Nevada, Alaska and Oregon.

On the other end of the spectrum, drivers in South Carolina ($2.37) and Missouri ($2.38) are the paying the lowest averages at the pump, although they too have seen prices inch upward in the last week.

Despite the increases, gas prices are still much lower than a year ago. The current national average is $1 less than it was on this date in 2014, while Oregon’s average is 86 cents less. Gas prices are at their lowest levels since 2010 when the national average was $2.90 and Oregon’s was $2.98.

For the lowest citizen-reported gas prices in your area, check out KTVZ.COM’s Pump Patrol.